Kim Kardashian has never shied away from public scrutiny, but her latest business campaign takes that strategy to a new level. Instead of avoiding one of the biggest setbacks of her legal journey, she made it the central joke of a new advertisement for UPDATE, the caffeine-free energy drink brand she co-founded.
The campaign, which began attracting widespread attention on July 23–24, 2026, surprised audiences by transforming a highly publicized failure into a confident marketing message. Rather than denying or hiding the criticism surrounding her California Bar Exam result, Kardashian leaned into it with a punchline designed to spark conversation—and it quickly did.
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Kim Kardashian’s Long Road to Becoming a Lawyer Explained
Kim Kardashian publicly began pursuing a legal career around 2018–2019, inspired largely by her work in criminal justice reform, including advocacy efforts connected to Alice Marie Johnson’s case. Instead of attending traditional law school, she enrolled in California’s Law Office Study Program, an apprenticeship pathway that allows candidates to study under practicing attorneys.
Her legal journey has been anything but easy.
She passed California’s First-Year Law Students’ Examination, commonly known as the “baby bar,” in 2021 on her fourth attempt after three previous failures.
After continuing her studies for several years, Kardashian completed her legal training program in May 2025, marking nearly six years of work. She celebrated the milestone during a private ceremony attended by family and close supporters.
Celebrity weddings have also generated their share of behind-the-scenes intrigue this year, including one couple’s unusually elaborate security arrangements. Read our post on that here: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding Invitation Had ‘Teeth’: The Secret Security Process Guests Faced Before the 4 A.M. Venue Reveal.
Timeline of Kim Kardashian’s California Bar Exam Journey
| Date | Event |
| 2018–2019 | Began legal studies through California’s Law Office Study Program |
| 2021 | Passed the baby bar on her fourth attempt |
| May 2025 | Graduated from her legal training program after roughly six years |
| July 29–30, 2025 | Sat for the full California Bar Exam |
| November 2025 | Publicly revealed she did not pass the exam |
| May 2026 | Reports said she would skip the February and July 2026 exams and wait until at least 2027 |
When the July 2025 California Bar Exam results were released in early November 2025, Kardashian confirmed that she had not passed. The overall pass rate for the exam was 54.8% among approximately 7,362 candidates.
She admitted she had been “so close” and reaffirmed her commitment by saying, “Six years into this law journey, and I’m still all in until I pass the bar.” She also made it clear she intended to continue studying without taking shortcuts.
Reports published in May 2026 later indicated that she skipped both the February and July 2026 California Bar Exams, planning to wait until at least 2027 because of an increasingly busy schedule involving filming and business commitments. Sources said she still intends to take the exam again.
What Is UPDATE? Kim Kardashian’s Caffeine-Free Energy Drink Brand
While continuing her legal ambitions, Kardashian also expanded her business portfolio.
UPDATE was originally founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Daniel Solomons as a better-for-you energy drink alternative. Unlike traditional energy drinks, it uses paraxanthine (enfinity® paraxanthine), the primary metabolite the body naturally produces from caffeine, instead of caffeine itself.
According to the brand, this provides alertness and focus while reducing common caffeine-related side effects such as jitters, anxiety, crashes and sleep disruption.
Other ingredients highlighted by the company include:
- Alpha-GPC (GeniusPure®) for cognitive support and clarity.
- L-theanine for calm focus.
- Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin).
The drink is marketed as zero sugar, zero calories and free of artificial flavours or colours, although reports note that sucralose is used as a sweetener.
Kardashian became a co-founder during UPDATE’s 2026 relaunch, which was announced around February 2026. Reports say she had already been a regular consumer of the product since around 2023.
Kardashian’s growing business empire isn’t the only side of her lifestyle drawing attention lately, as her personal collection of vehicles has also made headlines. Read our story on that here: Kim Kardashian’s $285,000 Classic Ford Bronco Stuns Fans as Luxury Car Collection Takes an Unexpected Turn.
Beyond investing, she helped shape the visual rebrand, campaign concept, script, creative direction and overall brand strategy. Financial terms of her involvement have not been disclosed.
The brand relaunched online and entered more than 4,000 Walmart stores around March 1, 2026, with plans to expand to approximately 13,000 retail locations later in the year. Flavours include Berry, Grape, Peach, Mandarin and Pineapple, sold in 12-packs and variety packs through the company’s website and major retailers.
On the official website, Kardashian says:
“UPDATE gives me clean energy without the jitters or crash—just clarity, focus and balance. Powered by paraxanthine, not caffeine. Zero sugar. Zero calories. Zero artificial flavors or colors. I hope you love it as much as I do.”
How Kim Kardashian Used Her Bar Exam Failure in UPDATE’s New Ad
The campaign’s biggest talking point arrived on July 23, 2026, when Kardashian shared a humorous digital advertisement across Instagram, X and other platforms.
Developed by OBB Bolded, the campaign was directed by Daniel Sachon, with executive producers Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner and Leonor Castro. Kardashian also contributed to the creative direction.
The advertisement begins with a mock press conference, where Kardashian is questioned about her demanding workload, productivity and even speculation about her appearance.
While calmly sipping an UPDATE energy drink, she suggests her energy is “just different.”
The commercial then shifts to a museum-style exhibit, where Kardashian is displayed inside a glass case surrounded by paperwork, referencing both her relentless work ethic and the discussion surrounding her past “get your f—king ass up and work” remark.
The biggest moment comes when attorney Gloria Allred, dressed in a red suit, approaches the display and asks:
“Did you even pass the bar?”
Kardashian responds with the campaign’s punchline:
“No. I didn’t pass the bar. I raised it.”
The commercial also breaks the fourth wall by addressing other public speculation surrounding her life and career. Media outlets widely described the campaign as a self-aware effort that turned a well-known setback into a marketing advantage while reinforcing themes of persistence, focus and determination.
Career pivots and unexpected life choices have also made headlines for other stars recently, including one beloved sitcom actor’s decision to leave behind a hugely lucrative role. Read our article on that here: Jim Parsons Walked Away From a $1 Million-an-Episode Hit—The Real Burnout and Personal Heartbreak Behind His Big Bang Theory Exit.
Conclusion
Kim Kardashian’s latest UPDATE campaign shows how she continues to blend business, celebrity and personal setbacks into headline-making marketing. Instead of distancing herself from failing the California Bar Exam, she made it the centrepiece of a campaign promoting perseverance and productivity. Whether audiences view it as clever branding or a bold gamble, the advertisement has once again placed Kardashian at the centre of public conversation while keeping attention on both her legal journey and her growing business empire.
Public backlash and controversy have also swirled around other high-profile athletes this year, including one basketball star facing intense scrutiny over a nickname debate. Read our post on that here: Why Is Caitlin Clark Being Called “Confederate Clark”? Inside the Riley Gaines, GOP, and WNBA Backlash.
Disclaimer: This article is based on thorough research compiled from reports and information published by TMZ, New York Daily News, E! News, Business Insider, HOLA!, UPDATE’s official website, and Food Dive. The information reflects those published sources at the time of writing.
Sources:
Image Credit:
- Instagram @drinkupdate
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